spellgrinders | ( TDM

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!tdm

( TDM | #3 )

IMPORTANT: This TDM takes place on the current world the coven is part of. Please read the linked Google Doc about the world AND be aware that the world is high-frequency, meaning canon magic and powers can be used.

TDMs can be used for anyone interested in the game and/or testing out a new muse.

Test Drive samples are encouraged to be used for your application sample, though they are NOT a requirement.

Feel free to use one prompt, multiple prompts or make up your own!

These threads can be considered game canon upon game opening if you so choose.

Telepathy and magic can be used at any point in time on the TDM, from Prompt A to your wildcard prompt. A specific prompt exists, however, that makes sure all characters have an equal chance to use this mechanic within the TDM. You're encouraged to have characters use telepathy and their magic accidentally or even purposefully on any TDM prompt.

If you aren't set on your character's power yet or want to try out a few, you're still able to use the test drive. Maybe your character is a late bloomer and hasn't fully unlocked their intuitive drive yet. In the case of multiple powers, only prompts that contain the power you choose for your application will count as potential game canon threads.

While only one character can be apped or reserved during a cycle, feel free to post with more than one character if you like! This is for those who are uncertain of their first choice or who would like to try out different characters within the setting.

Prompts A and B take place on the island above Aimintas, so in-game characters can only utilize these prompts if they know how to get here or you can handwave how they would get there. It's not that deep.

WORLD ONE: AIMINTAS

You blink and that's all it takes. At first the picture doesn't come in clear, like you're waiting for a screen to fully load -- more aptly, it's like you're waiting for a camera to focus so you can find image clarity. Before you happened to rapidly close your eyes and open them, your life was normal...well, normal for you, anyway. Fighting an alien, making a quesadilla, dying. And then that blurry picture suddenly takes over...

One point of implant is a sandy beach, next to an ocean shore. This may not be that abnormal to you, but there is a point of interest -- there is a huge, pulsating cube that lies inland, covering most of the island. There's about a mile stretch of land surrounding the cube's sides that is forested and sandy, but that's it.

There is the ocean, though the tide is very choppy. Characters may be able to swim across...or can they?

The more fortunate potential coven members -- or those who made it from the island to Aimintas -- are located in the marketplace. There they'll be introduced to the Palai, their strange cultures and attitudes, as well as renewed excitement at the new members. There's getting to be so many coven members that they won't immediately recognize new additions from the old guard, but they're hospitable creatures anyway.

"What do you look for in an ideal partner?"

The land of Aimintas recently experienced some salty rainfall -- actually that's still going on for some reason. When will it stop? Nobody knows.

Because their resources may be limited while new harvesting methods are implemented, the Palai have to limit their use of vegetables, fruits and grains as the ones currently planted may be too damaged by salt water to be used. This has caused some changes to the Aimintas marketplace, reflecting the food rationing.

GAME NAVIGATION

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[ akechi is still trying to make sense of his new surroundings as he stares out at the ocean (at least going from a cruise ship to a beach makes some sort of sense, he supposes) when a voice reaches his ears that he would recognize anywhere. it not only derails his thoughts, but effectively sends them careening off a cliff, making him turn his head in the direction of the source almost fast enough to hurt. ]

Akira?

[ there's no mistaking the figure making its way over.

in his current state, he has little energy left to put his guard up on such a short notice and so the whole gamut of emotions that he experiences is plain as day on his face for once. there's surprise for obvious reasons, a split-second of relief at seeing a familiar face that's quickly overshadowed by confusion as to why akira is here, followed by a mix of panic and anger at the only logical conclusion he feels like he can draw. it's that same conclusion that has him just ... shut down, expression going flat as he catches ahold of himself somewhat. the very thought that his sacrifice might have been for nothing— no. it's unacceptable. ]

Don't tell me you didn't make it off the ship either.

[ his voice is not as flat as his expression, the slight tremble in it betraying the turmoil that still simmers below the surface. ]

[ oh fuck this.

akira breathes out through his nose, expression not changing. even at the mention of the ship his expression is steeled into one of deadpan. it's really quite contrary to the whirlwind of emotions still clawing at his stomach. akechi shouldn't be here. he's dead. he sacrificed himself for them - but only after trying to kill them, after trying to kill akira twice. there's a bitter taste in his mouth and it doesn't take him long to deduce that it's blood from physically biting his tongue. ]

Ah... wouldn't you like to know?

[ he's aware it's evasive and bratty and while it's not cheeky, it's still elusive as hell. he absently rubs the back of his neck, trying not to let the awkwardness consume him entirely. god, he isn't prepared for this. that partition had fallen, he had heard the twin gunshots, futaba had said -

but he extends a hand, expression still as cool as a cucumber. ]

...We changed his heart. It's fine.

[ akira has every reason to treat him with contempt and he certainly has no obligation to tell akechi anything, but the evasive answer causes a surge of good ol' familiar irritation all the same, bringing anger to the forefront. the unreadable expression on akira's face doesn't help either, it's as infuriating as ever. he can't help the way the dodgy reply makes his eyes narrow just so while he ignores loki's laughter in the back of his mind.

at least the anger is quick to diminish when it's confusion again as he's offered a hand, his gaze flitting from it back to akira's face and probably showing how incomprehensible he finds the gesture until the other speaks again. the words are enough to make the flat expression break completely, his gaze contemplative as he studies akira's face intently.

he finds no lies there. ]

... I see. [ there's some relief in knowing that they succeeded where he failed. it's not quite the way he wanted shido to suffer, but it will have to be enough. it's all he could have asked from someone who owed him absolutely nothing.

it takes another beat of hesitation (he has his pride, wounded though it may be) before he finally takes the hand in a show of acquiescence, meaningful in more ways than one. ]

Thank you for keeping your word.

[ if morgana were here, he'd have that little voice in his head that would warn him to be careful. without him, he's got this tendency to be a little crazy. crazy, as in trying to parse out and find the good in people, even when he's capable of carrying a grudge. and really, he's been trying to do better about grudges (after seeing where that got akechi and how dangerous they can be), but it's still hard to swallow any of this. ]

Careful. My hands are catching on fire a lot lately.

[ again, it's said in monotone, his expression not betraying any of his inner turmoil. but you're dead is still playing at his lips but he can't seem to find the courage to mutter it - guess he should have eaten more burgers, huh? ]

... It's not as cool as it sounds.

[ such a strange comment deserves an equally strange look which is exactly how he regards akira after he cautions him: strangely, unsure whether to take it seriously or not. he'll risk it with whatever meager protection his glove might provide though, mostly in favor of hauling himself up to his feet with a tiny bit of help. it's more of a struggle than he cares to show and he uses his own waning strength more than the hand offered, but he manages it.

there's plenty he wants to ask akira, things ranging from their current surroundings and where they are to questions about back home because although akira provided him peace of mind where shido is concerned, there was no confirmation or denial as to whether he also died.

but does he dare ask? ]

Catch fire— how?

[ he dares. ]

[ ah, so the good detective is still naturally curious. good to see that an untimely death doesn't completely strip you of all your living quirks. he glances off to the side, to the waves, wondering if he stares at akechi long enough if he'll start to see where the bullet pierced skin. it's a troubling thought and again he pushes it down, right with the rage and itching anxiety about the fight back home. there's still so much left to do and they're just stuck here. ]

Magic. [ how utterly useless of an answer! he grins, a bit mischievously, and then clasps his hand against the back of his neck. ] ... That's the short answer, anyway.

[ it'd probably be easier to walk away. ] The long answer is that it happens whenever I tell a joke. Other people got cooler powers. [ more useful ones, but even akira has some pride sometimes. ] Like turning into a dragon. I was kinda jealous.

[ there's some distinct awkwardness to this whole situation which is probably to be expected when faced with someone you tried your hardest to kill twice and then died for, but the mischievous grin and elusive answers are familiar ground that he's perhaps a little bit grateful for. even if it vexes him.

not that akira's more elaborate answer is any more useful than the short version. ]

... Right. Of course.

[ maybe if he pretends this all makes perfect sense, it actually will.

never mind that he's starting to feel as if this is all a bizarre dream; some twisted nightmare that started in shido's palace with his demise at the hand of technically himself and continuing into— whatever this is. in an almost subconscious gesture, he reaches up to touch his forehead, half-expecting his fingers to catch on a gaping hole (it's where he aimed, it would be logical of his cognitive double to do the same) and finding nothing. not even blood when he glances at his hand before lowering it back to his side.

trying to figure out his own state of being is like banging his head against a wall or at least the headache that's forming certainly makes it feel like it. so he moves on to a different matter despite not expecting much in the way of answers out of akira, suddenly sounding as impossibly tired as he feels. ]

So where are we?

[ ... ah. the gesture doesn't go unnoticed. that familiar flare of uncertainty rises up in him once more. this is going to be a problem, ignoring the glaring elephant on the beach, but he isn't about to needlessly dive into that. not right now and not right here. it isn't going to solve anything. ]

Mm. An island. [ all right he'll stop being obtuse. ] Aimintas. At least, that's where we are for now. We were on a different island before that.

[ much less cooler, much more mundane. boars were involved - it wasn't a fun time. regardless, his hand dips down to tug at his collar, revealing the somewhat flashy signet embedded against the dip in his lower neck. his fingers tighten against the fabric, perhaps betraying just how on edge he is right now. how completely at a loss. ]

... You should have one too. [ he isn't even sure why he's being this helpful at this point. then again, things with akechi had never exactly made much sense from their inception. ]

Edited (phone when have i ever wanted to use "ain't") 2017-08-23 20:17 (UTC)

[ oh good. if akira had continued being obtuse, a third attempt on his life might have been imminent, injuries and bone-deep exhaustion be damned.

as it stands, it still means very little to him and it doesn't answer much of anything, but he listens and files the name away in his head regardless. more interesting is what akira shows him, akechi's eyes tracking the movements of his hand before settling on the signet embedded in his skin. it brings back a frown as he reaches up to loosen his tie and open a button of his shirt, fingers slipping in the space he's created and making contact with something smooth and metallic that shouldn't be there.

somehow that's more unsettling than finding a gunshot wound would be. possibly because he's expecting an entry point on his body somewhere and not a foreign object implanted in his neck. his fragile composure doesn't let him hide how it unnerves him and he mirrors akira as his fingers curl and clutch at his shirt. ]

What is it?

All of us have it.

[ that's not even remotely helpful, either. realizing all of his explanations are shaky at best, akira shifts his weight from one foot to another. groundwork, foundation, maybe that'll assist in clearing up the fog surrounding his predicament. ]

Welcome to the coven, Akechi. You're now a witch. [ it's said with his fingers splashed along his face, touching the edges of the frames of his glasses. a troll. a complete and utter troll. and yet most of it is true, regardless of the dramatic flourish. ]

It lets you communicate by thinking, so don't touch it unless you wanna broadcast cat videos to the world. [ or murderous thoughts. either it. ]

A witch.

[ he echoes in unimpressed deadpan that could be taken for disbelief.

still, he's quick to let his hand fall away from his neck lest the damn thing broadcasts his urge to dunk akira into the ocean for being an insufferable smart-ass even now to an entire world. it's not like he resents the explanation itself; magic and thought-broadcasting items aren't as unthinkable to him as they would be to most people. once before he'd awoken to powers and an app on his phone that would allow him to enter what is essentially another world shaped by the cognition of other people. so despite the way akira gives him information in fractured, confusing pieces, he doesn't doubt what's being said.

no. what gives him trouble is the logistics of how he's here when he should be dead. granted, for all that he'd heard the guns go off, he doesn't recall feeling the bullet pierce his skin nor is there any evidence on him that suggests he truly was shot. the uncertainty is maddening.

it's time to get to the bottom of this. ]

How did you get here? [ a beat and then he realizes the way the question is phrased gives akira plenty of room to continue dancing around the issue despite the strong implication behind it. so to make sure that he doesn't, he cuts to the heart of the matter by adding, plainly: ] Did you die?

[ fine then. bring attention to the elephant. that's fine. it saves a lot of awkwardness later on. nonetheless, it still makes akira stiffen in a way he can't play off as anything else. there's a lot of ways w can play this, certainly, but he's never been a big fan of lying or hiding the ball. even if he has every right to be furtive, it's hard to actually go through with.

so, he clasps the back of his neck and flicks his gaze back to the water and the faraway boats along the shore. dead, huh. certainly he can't be. the last thing he recalled was laying in bed, a warm cat fast asleep on his stomach. nothing unusual. nothing deadly. haru and ann hadn't mentioned anything deadly either, which gave weight to the hypothesis that he was very much alive and simply plucked from home. ]

I'm not dead. [ he says it flatly, steel grey gaze returning to akechi. ] But you were, right?

[ two can be blunt. he frowns, just a smidge, shoulders tense. ] ... Not anymore, anyway. [ ah. ] Guess there is such a thing as a second chance.

[ so dont fuck it up goes unsaid. ]

[ he's done playing around and he wants off the roller-coaster of emotions he's been on since he set foot on shido's ship, so it's time to cut the bullshit, compartmentalize everything (because shoving everything down is a healthy way of coping) and look at this in a logical manner to make sense of it all. for that he needs some answers and so he stares at akira as he waits for a response, unrelenting. it's not until he receives one that he looks away, adopting his usual thoughtful pose, a finger hovering over his lips.

not an afterlife then. it confirms what he started to suspect about akira not sharing his fate, a suspicion seeded but lost in the haze of panic from akira's response of 'it's fine' from before. it would hardly be fine if he'd changed shido's heart only to die after, right? no one would call that fine.

and then there's the lack of mortal wound on his own person. perhaps he's not as dead as they both think he is ... ]

I don't know. [ he replies truthfully, glancing back to meet akira's gaze coolly. ] Supposedly.

[ sure, he feels like death warmed over, but he imagines that's different from actually being dead. his current condition is a result of his encounter with the phantom thieves and pushing his powers past the limits. he feels like he just walked away from the fight right into this strange new land. quite possibly he's never been dead at all.

but whether alive or brought back ultimately doesn't matter, he's here now for better or worse (he's personally inclined toward the latter) and he's going to have to deal with that. great. ]

Is that what this is? A second chance?

[ he doesn't have that answer. even if he did, he isn't entirely sure he'd be inclined to answer and reveal his entire hand. there's a lot of messy feelings at play here and impulse control hasn't always been his strong suit. makoto's the planner, futaba's the navigator, and he's just the morale booster. they say he's a natural leader but what does any of that actually mean? he's always been quietly off on his own and even when he's leading as joker, it feels more like a stage-play doused in adrenaline than anything innate. he's never really felt special, so it's hard to comprehend what it was about him that set akechi off so badly.

but that's a thought for another time. ]

You could treat it as one. [ so no, he doesn't have a definitive answer. his hands slide into his pockets and he shrugs: the caricature of calm. ]

... Either way, we should get back to the city. [ food, shelter, all that jazz. learning powers, meeting people, the whole shebang. it's not his place to worry about how well akechi is going to adapt to any of this, not after the bad blood between them, but there's a murmur in his head that sounds suspiciously like, you don't leave your teammates behind.

still, akechi's current condition looks kind of worse for wear. ]

Need a heal? [ asked so casually. ]

[ of course akira doesn't have the answer, but the apprehension and distaste at the very thought of having a second chance is still palpable on akechi's face. he neither asked for one nor does he want one. dying should have been final; easy. but nothing has ever been easy for him in his life so why should this be any different? the fact that he doesn't get to escape the consequences of his wrongful actions is probably only just.

he snaps out of his thoughts at the mention of a city, prompting him to shift his attention more fully to their surroundings. ]

City?

[ there's the beach, the ocean, some boats, a forested area and— a huge pulsating cube. huh. his gaze is drawn away from it back to akira at the casual question. just the way it's posed annoys him and the temptation to shrug it off and stubbornly claim that he's fine is strong, but more so does it also pique his curiosity. akira had talked about a fire ability so where does healing factor into it? ]

I could use one, yes. [ he replies oh so pleasantly, the very picture of passive-aggressive politeness, though he regards akira with open, honest curiosity too. ]

[ survival instincts tell akira to leave akechi here and have him figure this mess out on his own. certainly he deserves combing through the weeds to make sense of this strange new world. it'd be a great start. ]

Ah. [ so he truly is clueless; a rare sight for the ace detective. despite wanting to, akira doesn't prolong the mystery and brings his right hand up to his face. his eyes flutter shut and slowly, his fingers clench just over his glasses, picking at the seams of something that isn't there to the naked eye. seconds later, a rush of cold blue fire licks at his feet and then surges over his entire being. it's a quick transformation from akira to joker, complete with red gloves and a half-hearted and lop-sided grin. sarasvati appears seconds later behind him, already spinning a casting of diarahan. ]

Doesn't work like this on the other island, though. Fair warning.

[ honestly, akira is showing him far more kindness than he should and akechi is painfully aware that he doesn't deserve any of it. if at any point, akira decides to just leave, it wouldn't surprise him and he wouldn't even bat an eye at it, he's more than used to being left alone and having to figure things out on his own; it's the story of his life. the fact that he's stuck around this long and actually offers help perplexes him. not that he's about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

his eyes widen slightly in realization as the blue fire starts consuming akira. given that he'd lost his black mask outfit upon his arrival and working on the assumption that personas are a metaverse-only deal, he hadn't been expecting that. it's a welcome surprise just as the healing spell cast over him is. it doesn't do much for his exhaustion, but it's a relief to feel the pain ebb away, his cuts and bruises mended. it makes remaining upright on his feet a lot easier.

not for the first time does he find himself wishing his own personas had healing abilities. ]

I see. So we can summon our Personas in certain areas.

[ that's very good to know. he's tempted to try it out himself just to see, but he has little energy to spare and it's doubtful that the appearance of either of his personas will be appreciated. he'll have to settle for simply knowing. ]

Thank you. [ for the heal. for the information. it's said with perhaps a tiny bit of reluctance (having to thank him a second time), however it's entirely sincere. ]

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( TDM | #3 )

/fingerguns

no no guns allowed here !!!

https://youtu.be/5n05deLzAHM

oh my god why is that a thing, why does that exist

because it's the internet?? idek

you know what that's a fair explanation

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